GOOD STORIES OF THE LATE SIR HENRY IRVING.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1988, 14 May 1906, Page 7

GOOD STORIES OF THE LATE SIR HENRY IRVING.

Sir Henry Irving once, told a story of a lady-admirer who, some twenty .tears ago, wrote to him asking him if it were true that he was gettingon for seventy years of age. The gallant actor-manager replied. “Yes, it is true,-hut I hope it won’t make any difference.” ■ On another occasion, a budding playriglft wrote offering the famous actor an allegorical drama in which he was cast for the part of “Father Time.” To Irving's humorous response that he might have to employ Father Time’s scythe to cut down some of the lengthy speeches, the author took much offence, finishing his rej roachful letter with the bitter retort : “How like an actor-manager !” In view of his son’s appearance as "Hamlet,” it is interesting to recall one of the oddest bequests ever made, and one which fell to Sir Henry's lot. An old Yorkshireman died, leaving a clause in his will to the effect that the famous actor, of whom he was an ardent admirer, was to have his skull and use it as Vorick's whenever he played Hamlet. Sir Henry Irving, however, respected the wishes of his admirer’s heirs and relenquished all claims to the relic. Another odd experience of Irving’s when he played Hamlet in the long ago, was when the King in the last act drank to the Prince of Denmark out of an empty- marmalade jar. while a small and grimy turnip did duty for Vorick's skull. Irving's wit is of an almost Voltairean character. Whilst rehearsing■‘Faust”—or was it the inferno scene in "Dante?”—he had occasion to reprove an army of exuberant supers. "Kindly remember that you are supposed to bo in hell,” he said, ' not picnicking on Hampstead Heath.*’ Irving’s handwriting is a thing to wonder at and ponder over. A story runs that, meeting a friend in London, the great actor .scribbled something on a scrap of paper, entitling the holder to two stalls at. the Lyceum Theatre. The friend, however, foolishly got it confounded with a chemist's prescription and, taking the la iter (o the theatre, was handed vouchers for (wo stalls, and giving Irving’s note lo the chemist, was presented with a. concoction which wo can only hope did not [trove disastrous.